CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 187: BLIND TO DANGER

There is no direct train from Beijing to Sui City, so He Xuewen bought tickets to Shanghai instead, planning to transfer from Shanghai to Sui City. If worse came to worst, they could even have Tian Mantong come to Shanghai to pick them up, as he made the trip to Shanghai at least once a week anyway.

The tickets were for 10 a.m. the day after tomorrow, precisely September 1st. If it were the present day, they’d probably hit the peak of the school starting season. However, at that time, few people went to university, so the enormous crowds of the future were nowhere to be seen.

Mr. Yun gave Tian Xinhua and He Chengsi two days off and didn’t ask Tian Sisi to make him any delicious food. The old man showed his generosity by letting Luo Datou take these three kids out for a stroll and buy some local specialties to give away as gifts.

Unanimously, the three of them shook their heads and declined Mr. Yun’s proposal. "Grandpa Yun, we can buy things on our own, there’s no need to trouble Grandpa Luo."

Their chorused refusal annoyed Luo Datou. What’s the deal? Am I incapable of taking them out?

Seeing that King Yanluo was about to erupt, Tian Xinhua quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile: "Grandpa Luo, we can take care of small things like shopping ourselves. You should reserve your energy for more important matters!"

Luo Datou was actually quite easy to please; he loved hearing flattery, as long as it didn’t touch upon Mr. Yun’s interests or involve his precious gold. Aside from those two points, Luo Datou was usually quite amiable.

Finally free from Luo Datou’s company, the three sighed in relief. If Luo Datou had followed them, they would have really looked like his henchmen.

They had heard from Niu Erniu that once Mr. Yun had a craving for soy beef, and Luo Datou arrived late at the shop when the last piece had been sold; only one piece reserved for the shop owner’s father-in-law remained, which Luo Datou then snatched. After the shop owner uttered a few angry words, Luo Datou, in a fit of pique, had the shop raided. In the end, it was Mr. Yun who had to pay money to settle the matter.

Pleased by the three kids’ sweet talk, actually, Luo Datou himself preferred not to go shopping with the little brats, finding it more pleasurable to drink with his master. Ever since Tian Xinhua had made liquor, drinking had become Luo Datou’s new hobby.

Mr. Yun found this amusing but did not expose Tian Sisi and the others’ intentions. He gave Luo Datou a look, and with apparent reluctance, Luo Datou pulled out a handful of change and some tickets from his bag and handed them to Tian Xinhua.

"There, take these money and tickets. Be frugal with your spending, got it? If it were up to me, why spend money at all? Just take what you want and leave. All these silly rules today are such a hassle. I never had to spend a dime in the old days!"

Talking about spending money to buy things brought out Luo Datou’s deep grievances. Back in his bandit days, had he ever paid for anything? If he fancied something, he would just seize it. Only after following his master did he have to obey the rule of conducting affairs openly and honestly, alas. Thankfully, he could still snatch things in secret, or else he’d feel absolutely suffocated!

Mr. Yun coughed loudly and gave Luo Datou a stern look. This Datu was far too corrupting for the kids, talking so brazenly. Couldn’t he be a bit more tactful?

Tian Sisi and the other two found this hilarious and quickly slipped out with the money. If they stayed any longer, Luo Datou might start reminiscing about his glory days on Niu Tou Mountain, tales of which they had long since grown weary of hearing.

They had left on bicycles, carrying a significant amount of cash and tickets from Luo Datou, enough to buy lots of stuff. Tian Sisi wasn’t about to skimp – after all, she had spent a whole summer living in Yun Mansion and was now quite familiar with Luo Datou. She saw him as nothing but a paper tiger who feared both Mr. Yun and his wife. (Fuming, Luo Datou thought: "Back when I was killing people, you little brat’s parents weren’t even in existence!")

The three of them bought a pile of things: sweet treats from Rui Fang House, red snail fruit preserves, pickles from Lubiju, red shrimp candy, old Beijing fu ling (Poria mushroom) pastries, and such. These are all famous local specialties in Beijing, perfect for gifting.

They quickly filled the basket on the back of the car. Tian Xinhua covered it with a piece of cloth and, noting that it was nearing noon, they decided to eat at a small restaurant by the street. Tian Xinhua had originally planned to go to Quanjude for roast duck but had to make reservations in advance. Most importantly, Tian Sisi wasn’t too keen on Beijing roast duck, so they let that idea go.

After parking the car in front of the restaurant and choosing seats near the entrance where they could keep an eye on the car, Tian Xinhua scoffed and gave He Chengsi a knowing glance halfway through the meal. He Chengsi, noticing the shady figures loitering by the restaurant entrance, also chuckled.

Tian Sisi was oblivious that their belongings had already caught the attention of thieves and continued to relish the Guo Bao Rou, a famous dish from the Northeast, which she loved in her previous life and found surprisingly tasty in Beijing.

Tian Xinhua excused himself to use the restroom and deftly took out the small thieves without making a sound. He cast a cold glance at the whimpering thieves on the ground before returning to continue the meal.

After they finished eating, they strolled around Dashilar and then headed back. Passing by the hutongs, Tian Sisi suddenly wanted to capture the old Beijing hutong scenery on camera, so she asked Tian Xinhua to turn the car into an alley while she picked out scenes to photograph.

Beijing’s hutongs and Shanghai’s lanes represent distinctive urban features of northern and southern China, respectively. Although comparable, the southern lanes are delicately exquisite while the northern hutongs are bold and grand, each with its own characteristics.

To Tian Sisi, the difference seemed merely that Beijing’s hutongs are broader and more spacious, while Shanghai’s lanes are narrower and more crowded.

The alley was quiet with few pedestrians when suddenly someone darted out from a side hutong, urgently shouting, "Li Heizi is after you, hurry and turn back, you can’t get through the dead end ahead!"

Seeing that Tian Xinhua and his party showed no reaction, the man grew more anxious, grabbed He Chengsi’s hand, and tried to pull them away. But before he could take a step, a wave of cursing came from behind him.

"Ma Xiaoming, you damn rascal, you dare tip them off? Are you ****ing tired of living?"

The man cursing was lean and walked beside a tall and robust man, followed by a dozen or so young lads, about sixteen or seventeen years old, including some of the small thieves that Tian Xinhua had knocked down.

"Who do you think you are, Liu Sancun, barking in front of me like that?" The man named Ma Xiaoming retorted to the puny man.

Tian Sisi couldn’t help but snort with laughter, glancing at the slight man – Liu Sancun. His nickname was really quite vivid!

Liu Sancun seemed somewhat intimidated by Ma Xiaoming; although still looking resentful and muttering a few words, he dared not speak up anymore. However, he glared fiercely at Tian Sisi – Stupid girl, you’ll be crying soon enough!

Tian Sisi was not frightened in the least, glaring back more fiercely than Liu Sancun. With two formidable guardians by her side, she wouldn’t be scared even if she were alone.